Rules Regulations Library
| Document Type | Title and Description | Category |
|---|---|---|
| Open Letter | 2025 - September - All FFLs - Franklin Armory Letter Clarification
ATF is committed to full transparency in the classification of firearms. This statement addresses the circumstances and legal landscape surrounding Franklin Armory’s “Antithesis” firearms. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2021 - October - All FELs - E-Nicotine Delivery Systems
The purpose of this open letter is to provide all federal explosives licensees and permittees guidance on the safe storage of explosive materials. Electronic nicotine delivery systems, or other similar devices, are electronic devices that, through an aerosolized solution, deliver nicotine, flavor, and/or other substances (including non-tobacco products) to the user inhaling from the device. ATF has determined that electronic nicotine delivery systems are spark producing devices. Therefore, they cannot be brought into or within 50 feet of any outdoor explosives storage magazine or within any room containing an indoor magazine. Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Northern Mariana Islands - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of an important change to the procedure you must follow beginning Oct. 19, 2005, in order to comply with the Brady Law, 18 U.S.C. § 922(t). Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - California - All FFLs - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in California of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - October - Alaska - All FFLs - Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits Marked "NICS Exempt" Qualify as NICS Check Alternative
This open letter informs Alaska Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, only Alaska Concealed Handgun Permits marked "NICS EXEMPT" will qualify as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2004 - January - All FFLs - Importance of Partnerships Between ATF and the Firearms Industry
This open letter discusses the importance of the partnerships that have been established between ATF and the firearms industry and to reinforce our joint responsibilities under the Gun Control Act (GCA). Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2001 - September - All FELs - Heightened Security Precautions Request for Explosives Licensees and Permittees
The purpose of this letter is to advise all persons holding federal explosives licenses or permits of heightened security precautions that should be taken in light of the events of Sept. 11, 2001. Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Vermont - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Vermont of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2005 - October - Northern Mariana Islands - All FFLs - Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification
This open letter informs Northern Mariana Island Federal firearms licensees that beginning Oct. 19, 2005, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Island Weapons Identification Card Permits no longer qualifies as an alternative to a National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS) check.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2002 - May - All FELs - Asks that Explosives Licensees and Permittees Remain Vigilant When Selling Explosive Materials
The purpose of this letter is to ask that you continue to be vigilant in light of heightened security concerns regarding possible terrorist activity involving explosives.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 2002 - All FELs - Safe Explosives Act Provisions for Blasting/Mining Educators
This open letter provides information for public and private institutes and the provisions pertaining to the Safe Explosives Act.
Published/Revised: |
Explosives |
| Open Letter | 2005 - October - Alaska - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Alaska of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2016 - January - National - Presidential Memorandum
Tracing firearms in connection with criminal investigations and improving availability of relevant Executive Brand records to the National Instant Criminal Background Check System (NICS).
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - American Samoa - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Arizona - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arizona of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - New Hampshire - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in New Hampshire of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - September - All FFLs - Building Positive Working Relationships With Industry Members
This open letter was sent from ATF's Deputy Director to all federal firearms licensees and all federal explosives licensees/permittees discussing how ATF continues to work towards maintaining and building positive working relationships industry members, trade associations, law enforcement, and the general public. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Arkansas - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Arkansas of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Delaware - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Delaware of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - District of Columbia - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in the District of Columbia of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1999 - March - Colorado - Correction Notice - Colorado Bureau of Investigation Ceases Operations as NICS Point of Contact
The Colorado Bureau of Investigation will cease its operations as the NICS point of contact on March 31, 1999. Therefore, beginning April 1, 1999, in order to initiate a NICS check for any firearm, Colorado licensees must contact the FBI's NICS Operations Center. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 2012 - June - Alaska - Identification Showing Residence is Neither a Street Address or Rural Route and Box Number
The purpose of this open letter is to provide guidance to federal firearms licensees (FFLs) in Alaska regarding firearms transferees whose government issued identification documents indicate a residence address that is neither a street address nor a rural route and box number address.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Florida - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise federal firearms licensees in Florida of their responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady Law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - Montana - Permanent Provisions of the Brady Law
This open letter has been rescinded. The purpose of this letter is to advise you of your responsibilities under the permanent provisions of the Brady law. Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
| Open Letter | 1998 - October - All FFLs - Pawnbroker Transactions
The Omnibus Appropriations Act for 1999 provides that a pawnbroker may complete a NICS check when a firearm is offered as collateral for a loan, at the option of the dealer. ATF will be publishing a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking setting forth the procedures pawnbrokers must follow if they wish to complete the optional NICS check at the time a firearm is offered for pawn.
Published/Revised: |
Firearms |
